Senna spectabilis

Taxonomy and systematics

S. spectabilis was long placed in Cassia, or in the non-monophyletic Cathartocarpus assemblage, or separated - together with its relative Senna peralteana - in Pseudocassia. In addition, it has been variously treated under a range of taxa, some of which were also used for related plants:

Cassia amazonica Ducke

Cassia carnaval Speg.

Cassia edulis Posada-Ar.

Cassia excelsa Schrad. var. acutifolia Hassl.

Cassia excelsa Kunth is a synonym of Cassia fistula. See also below. Cassia acutifolia Delile and Senna acutifolia (Delile) Batka are synonyms of Senna alexandrina Mill.

Cassia humboldtiana DC.

Cassia speciosa Kunth

Senna speciosa Roxb. is a synonym of Senna surattensis (Burm. f.) H.S.Irwin & Barneby. See also below.

Cassia spectabilis DC.

Cassia totonaca Sessé & Moc.

Cassia trinitatis DC.

Cathartocarpus humboldtianus Loudon

Cathartocarpus speciosus (DC.) G.Don

Cathartocarpus trinitatis (DC.) G.Don

Pseudocassia spectabilis (DC.) Britton & Rose

In addition, one or two varieties of this species are recognized:

var. excelsa (Schrad.) H.S.Irwin & Barneby with the synonyms:

Cassia excelsa Schrad. (see also above)

Cassia fastigiata Nees (Cassia fastigiata Vahl is a synonym of Senna surattensis (Burm. f.) H.S.Irwin & Barneby)

var. micans (Nees) H.S.Irwin & Barneby - may belong into Senna macranthera (Collad.) H.S.Irwin & Barneby (= Cassia macranthera Collad.). Synonyms:

Cassia micans Nees

Cassia speciosa Schrad. (see also above)

Chamaefistula speciosa G.Don